Core Viewpoint - The UK government is seeking to establish a "steel alliance" with the US and EU to protect their steel industries from the impacts of global overcapacity, reflecting the struggles of the UK economy in the post-Brexit trade environment [1][2][3] Group 1: Steel Industry Challenges - The UK steel industry is facing a crisis, with half of the steel companies effectively under state control and the remaining ones in precarious situations [3] - The EU plans to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imported steel, which poses a significant threat to the UK steel sector, as 78% of UK steel exports go to the EU, valued at approximately £3 billion annually [2][3] - The UK government announced a £2.5 billion plan to support the domestic steel industry, focusing on maintaining global competitiveness and transitioning to greener production methods [3] Group 2: Economic Implications - The proposed "steel alliance" aims to impose common tariffs on imports from outside the group while allowing zero or reduced tariffs for member countries [4] - The EU's steel tariffs are seen as a measure to protect the European steel industry and related jobs, with Germany acknowledging shared interests with the UK in addressing global steel overcapacity [5][6] - The EU steel industry is facing a dual challenge of enhancing competitiveness and reducing carbon emissions, with significant declines in revenue reported, particularly in Germany [6] Group 3: Global Context and Trade Dynamics - The global steel overcapacity reached 600 million tons last year, projected to increase to 721 million tons by 2027, with the EU importing steel from various countries including Turkey, South Korea, and China [6][7] - The US has expressed concerns over Chinese steel production capacity, indicating a need for coordinated efforts among Western nations to address this issue [6] - The EU's steel tariffs have drawn criticism from other sectors, such as the automotive industry, which fears inflationary impacts due to increased steel prices [9][10]